Dear Abby: Woman’s free babysitting is her choice, not fiance’s

Updated 3:51 pm, Tuesday, March 28, 2017

A woman's fiance is upset when he learns she's been watching her friends child for free, but should he have a say?

A woman's fiance is upset when he learns she's been watching her...

Dear Abby: I am a stay-at-home mom with three children. Recently, another mom asked me to care for her 3-year-old daughter while she went to work. She offered to pay me, but I declined, given her circumstances, because I consider her a friend, even though I have known her for only a short time. My fiance is now mad at me for not charging her. How can I make him see that it is not a problem for me since I am stuck at home anyway? It’s not like I am losing money by doing her a favor.

Stuck at Home in Colorado

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Dear Stuck: That it’s not a problem for you isn’t the point. It’s a problem for your fiance. He may not want the family’s hard-earned money going toward feeding someone else’s child. But ultimately, the decision about whether to do this favor for your friend should be yours, not his.

Dear Abby: My wife and I recently moved, taking jobs that are closer to our son and daughter-in-law. They have no children but want to start a family, and we are praying for our first grandchild. When they take business trips (which is often), I take care of their cats and dogs. A few days ago, while I was in their bedroom (where the cats are kept), I saw an anatomically correct sex toy that had been left on the bed stand. I’m no prude, but should I say something to my son? We have an excellent relationship. I’m concerned that he may need some fatherly advice if they are having conception problems. What do you think?

Dear Concerned: In the interest of family harmony, keep your advice to yourself unless you are asked. If they are having “conception problems,” rest assured they will find their way to a fertility expert without your assistance.

Dear Abby: My 24-year-old son got married in August. His wife is very nice, and we get along fine. He’s my youngest child, and we are very close. My issue is, she refuses to put their wedding picture in the newspaper. She said it’s not necessary, and the people most important know they are already married. I want to keep it as a remembrance just like my daughter had hers in years ago. My son is agreeing with her. Please help.

Newspaper Wedding Photo

Dear Newspaper: It’s seven months too late for your son and daughter-in-law’s wedding picture to appear in the paper. At this point it’s “old news.” It would be better to reconcile your disappointment at not having the memento, because he and his wife are unified on this and the battle is already lost.